The FCC should not hang up on low-income disaster survivors

For Americans who can afford reliable phone service, help surviving a natural disaster is just a phone call away. Individuals in the path of a storm can dial 2-1-1 to get answers to non-emergency questions such as the location of shelters and evacuation areas. After the storm has passed, 2-1-1 provides access to disaster resources including food and housing assistance, crisis counseling, and health and human services. But for those unable to afford voice or broadband services, the Federal Communications Committee must do more to ensure access. That is why the federal Lifeline program is so critical. It serves as a gateway to 2-1-1 and other resources for low-income consumers.

Instead of pursuing proposals that will limit the reach and effectiveness of Lifeline, the FCC must strengthen the Lifeline program and commit to keeping low-income consumers connected through robust, affordable voice and broadband service. Lifeline can ensure the most vulnerable in our society can access the information and resources they desperately need during catastrophic disasters.

[Olivia Wein is a staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.]